Patent Application
20140366336
(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to zip fasteners and more particularly to a waterproof dual-track zipper, which effectively prevents water permeation.
(b) Description of the Prior Art
Regular zippers commonly comprise two zipper tapes each carrying a series of interlocking teeth, and zipper slide coupled to the two series of interlocking teeth and movable in two reverse directions, to interlock the two series of interlocking teeth in one direction and to separate the two series of interlocking teeth in the other direction. However, due to gaps existing in the two interlocked series of interlocking teeth, these zippers are not waterproof. There are commercial waterproof zipper designs, however these waterproof zipper designs still use interlocking teeth for sealing and other waterproof techniques to prevent water penetration. Some other waterproof zipper designs use a re-sealable structure instead of interlocking teeth to achieve sealing between two zipper tapes. U.S. Pat. No. 7,536,758 discloses a similar design, entitled “Device for creating a seal between fabrics or other materials”.
The zipper device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,536,758 includes two different shapes of seal members. Making these two different shapes of seal members requires two different molds and therefore high production costs. Further, the close-fitting tightness and sealing stability of the sealing structure between the two seal members are insufficient, leakage may still occur. More particularly, when the zipper device is stretched, the two seal members can be separated. Further, when the two seal members are interlocked, a large crevice or non-interlocking gap may exist in between the two seal members within the specially designed sliding member (zipper slider), weakening its waterproof function.
The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. The main object of the present invention is to provide a waterproof dual-track zipper, which enhances sealing between the two zipper tapes and effectively prevents water permeation.
A waterproof dual-track zipper in accordance with the present invention comprises a first zipper tape and a second zipper tape that have the same shape, and a zipper slider coupled between the first zipper tape and the second zipper tape and slidable in two reverse directions, to close the first zipper tape and the second zipper tape in one direction and to open the two zipper tapes in the other direction. The first zipper tape and the second zipper tape have the same structure. Further, the first zipper tape and the second zipper tape each comprise a tape body, a mating strip integrally formed with one lateral side of the tape body, and a sealing structure located on one side of the mating strip. The sealing structure comprises a female engaging member, a male engaging member disposed in a parallel manner at one lateral side relative to the female engaging member, a first close-fit portion connected between the female engaging member and the male engaging member, and a second close-fit portion disposed at an opposite side of the male engaging member. The female engaging member comprises an engagement groove inwardly curved in one side of the mating strip, and two hook flanges respectively disposed at two opposite lateral sides of the engagement groove. The male engaging member comprises a long rib, and a neck connected between the long rib and the mating strip. Thus, the long rib of the male engaging member of the first zipper tape is engageable into the engagement groove of the female engaging member of the second zipper tape, enabling the two hook flanges of the female engaging member of the second zipper tape to be hooked on the neck of the male engaging member of the first zipper tape and the first close-fit portion and the second close-fit portion of the first zipper tape to be abutted against the surfaces of the two hook flanges of the female engaging member of the second zipper tape. In the same manner, the long rib of the male engaging member of the second zipper tape is engageable into the engagement groove of the female engaging member of the first zipper tape, enabling the two hook flanges of the females engaging member of the first zipper tape to be hooked on the neck of the male engaging member of the second zipper tape and the first close-fit portion and the second close-fit portion of the female engaging member of the second zipper tape to be abutted against the surfaces of the two hook flanges of the female engaging member of the first zipper tape.
Further, a waterproof pocket is affixed to one end of the first zipper tape and one corresponding end of the second zipper tape. The pocket defines an opening in one side thereof facing toward the zipper slider for enabling the zipper slider to pass therethrough into the inside of the waterproof pocket when the zipper slide is moved to close the first zipper tape and the second zipper tape.
Due to the characteristic that the first and second zipper tapes have the same structure, one same mold can be used to make the first and second zipper tapes, thereby saving the manufacturing cost. More particularly, the design of the female engaging members, male engaging members, first close-fit portions and second close-fit portions of the two sealing structures of the first and second zipper tapes enhances the close-fitting tightness and sealing stability between the first and second zipper tapes, achieving excellent waterproofing effects.
Further, when the zipper slider is pulled to the extent to close the first and second zipper tapes, it is inserted through the opening of the waterproof pocket into the inside of the waterproof pocket and well concealed therein. Thus, the waterproof pocket can protect the non-sealing area of the sealing structures of the first and second zipper tapes against rainwater or accidental splashing water.
Referring to
As shown in
Referring to
As stated above, the first zipper tape 1 and the second zipper tape 2 are one-piece plastic members having the same structure. One same mold can be used to make the first zipper tape 1 and the second zipper tape 2, saving the manufacturing cost. When the first zipper tape 1 and the second zipper tape 2 are made, they are arranged in reversed directions and assembled with the zipper slider 3 to form a waterproof double-track zipper. More particularly, the design of the female engaging members 131 and 231, the male engaging members 132 and 232, the first close-fit portions 133 and 233 and the second close-fit portions 134 and 234 of the two sealing structures 13 and 23 enhances the close-fitting tightness and sealing stability between the first and second zipper tapes 1 and 2, achieving excellent waterproofing effects.
Referring to
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Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.
